Survey of Commercial Carnation Cultivars for Four Viruses in California by Indirect Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay. S. A. Lommel, Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Food and Agriculture, University of California, Berkeley 94720. A. H. McCain, Extension Plant Pathologist, D. E. Mayhew, Plant Pathologist, Department of Food and Agriculture, and T. J. Morris, Associate Professor, Department of Plant Pathology, University of California, Berkeley 94720. Plant Dis. 67:53-56. Accepted for publication 17 May 1982. Copyright 1983 American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/PD-67-53.

An indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique was used to survey for carnation ringspot virus, carnation mottle virus, carnation necrotic fleck virus, and carnation etched ring virus in commercial carnations throughout California. A total of 226 samples was collected from 31 locations; statewide incidences were: carnation mottle virus, 78%; carnation necrotic fleck virus, 13%; carnation etched ring virus, 15%; and carnation ringspot virus, 0%. Of the samples surveyed, 21% were infected with two or more of these viruses. The statewide average of plants free from these viruses was 18%. Survey samples were derived from seven propagation sources. Carnations from different propagators varied widely in the incidence of the tested viruses. The data suggested that initial infection of commercial carnations occurred at the propagator level and that only limited spread occurred in production greenhouses, with the exception of carnation mottle virus.